Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Okay i'm doing a science fair project on Reflection of mirrors. and i'm wondering why does a mirror reflect light? And also, i am trying to figure out, how can you find the age a mirror? i heard that you could hold a match or candle infrount of a mirror and count the amount of fire that shows up on the mirror (like mini reflecions after the first). but i don't know why you times the amount by 7? If you even times it by seven. well hope you can help me!

I went to askjeeves.com and typed: How do mirrors work. There I found this page:

http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/mirrors.asp

For a quick answer: Light reflects from the thin metal at the back of the mirror and enters your eyes. The more you know about how light works, the more I could tell you about how a mirror works but that may be a long story. Try doing the search yourself and you may find a better site.

As far as the age of a mirror:

What is your source for the idea of measuring the age of mirrors with light? I was not able to find any references to this "fact". I suspect it is not true. If you ever find out, I would love to know...

Hi babystarz2u and williamcolocho,

I'm merging this topic with "Sames as the ones i put before." See the posts there.

Also, thank you williamcolocho for your post here, which I believe are consistent with the other posts.

BTW, I'm the "expert" staffing the bulletin board today. (Thursday is my day, and it's my second Thursday.) Please let me know of anything I need to be doing better.

Thanks.

Yeah that how antique specialists check a quality of a mirror. I think thats so kool